Multiple lightning-arrester.



W. S. LEWIS.

MULTIPLE LIGHTNING ARRESTER.

APPLICATION FILED 58.16, 19H) Patented Dee. 11, 19W.

muuum W%%///%MH WWMMW WMW lid WILJBUR S. LEWIS, 01? LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

MULTIPLE LIGHTNING-ARRESTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec Til, .Wll't.

Application filed February 16, 1916. Serial No. 78,558.

V and telegraph lines.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which is compact, durable and accessible. The main object of my invention, however, is to provide a device which has a spark-gap of large area so as to readily dissipate or discharge electrical currents of injurious nature, and which is self-cleaning.

The device comprises a number of conducting disks or rings built up in layers, each ring being provided with a terminal adapted to be connected to a line wire. The number of disks in the device depend upon the number of line wires or conductors to be served.

These disks are mounted upon a suitable base in such a manner that they can be readily replaced when desired. Upon the same base there is also mounted a suitable conducting element preferably of carbon. This carbon element passes through each of the rings but out of contact therewith. The diameter of the carbon element is less than the opening in the disks orrings, thus allowing a spark gap or air space which extends entirely around the circumference of the carbon element. The device is mounted upon a suitable bracket so that it can be attached to a cross-arm or other support.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows the device provided with a cover and the manner in which it is mounted.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device with the cover removed.

' Fig. 3 is a side view in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view in section on the line H of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of device.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and ll, the contt ducting disks or rings D are built up in layers separate by me t1. '1 :1 e insulating washers or spacers T. These disks and washers are mounted upon the base E which is provided with suitable bolts J which pass through openings in the disks D and in the washers I. These bolts are firmly fastened to the plate E after which a bushing or bushings are slipped over the bolts and pass in kit through the disks to prevent them coming in contactwith the bolts J. After the proper number of disks have been mounted a nut K is fitted to the threaded portion of each of the bolts to bind or clamp the disks and washers together.

The base E is provided with a central openin through which passes a rod F which iorms a part of the bracket B. This bracket is provided with openings adapted to receive the screws or bolts L for attaching to a cross-arm or suitable support, as indicated at M.

A cylindrical bar or block of carbon C is slipped over the rod F and held in place by means of the nut'H which engages the threaded portion G of the rod F.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 4, it will be noted when the disks and the carbon block are mounted and clamped upon the base E that an air gap or spark gap X exists between each of the disks D and the block C.

The inner surfaces of the disks D are provided with the teeth or corrugations 0.

Each disk is provided with a. terminal or projection T containing a screw S and a lock-nut R. These terminals are for the purpose of connecting to the line wires W as indicated in Fig. 1. These line wires or conductors pass through openings Y in the base E, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

In order. to protect the device so as, to render it weather-proof a cover A is pro vided as shown in Fig. 1. This cover rests upon the outer edge of the base E and projects thereover as shown.

Referring to Fig. 5, I have. shown a modified form of my invention wherein the disks which are connected to the line conductors are mounted upon a base E and surroundedv conductor W.

taching a wire to the base B as shown in Fig.

1. In case of lightning affecting the line wires the current is dissipated by jumping or arcing from the disks or rings to the carbon block 0 to ground.

Any carbon dust formed .by such discharges falls and accumulates upon the base plate E where it can be readily removed.

In place of simply providing spacing washers I, an insulating disk conforming to the conducting disks D can be interposed between each disk. It will be noted that the terminals of the conducting disks D are out of alinement so as to render it easier to attach the conductors or wires.

While I have shown the carbon element 0 in one piece, it of course follows that it may consist of a number of sections built up in layers and clamped together as are the disks D.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a plurality of conducting rings built u in layers and insulated from one another, 0? a conducting bar extending through the vcenter of said rings, the extension of said bar through said rings forming a spark gap between the outer surface of said bar and the inner surfaces of said rings, the outer surfaces of said conducting rings provided with terminals out of alinement with one another.

2. In a lightning arrester, the combination of a base having a plurality of supports, a

- face of said rings forming a spark gap, means comprising extending lugs attached to the outer surface of said rings adapted to receive conducting elements.

3. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a plurality of conducting rings built up in layers and insulated from. one another, a base provided witha plurality of binding devices for clamping said rings to said base, a conducting bar passing through said rings and also clamped to said base,

the outer surface of said conducting bar and the inner surface of said rings forming a spark gap, means comprising extending lugs for each ring for attaching a conducting element.

4. In a lightning1 arrester, the combination of a plurality of ayers of conducting elements insulated from one another, of a con ducting bar extending through said layers, the extension of said bar through said layers forming a spark gap between the outer surfaces of said bar and the near surface of said conducting elements, the far side of said conducting elements being provided with terminals out of alinement with one another.

;means for attaching a conducting element to each of said segments.

'6. In a lightning arrester, the combination of a plurality of conducting segments arranged in layers and insulated from one another, said segments being clamped together to permit their adjustment, a conductmg element extending past said segments so as to form a spark gap between each segment and said element, and means for at taching an electrical conductor to each segment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presenceof twowitnesses.

WILBUR s. LEWIS. Witnesses:

H. Pom'rsnx, A. MoCUNE. 

